THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412160264
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONY WHARTON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
City Council members seemed in a mood to postpone Tuesday night, but they did kill a 53-acre borrow pit proposed for Dominion Boulevard after residents complained that the developers had not met with them to work out differences.
``I feel like a yo-yo,'' said resident Robert Scott. ``I'd say our string has been jerked back and forth.''
The proposed borrow pit would have been northeast of the intersection of Dominion Boulevard and George Washington Highway. Up to 164 truckloads of fill a day would have been hauled from the site over seven years.
Numerous residents, including representatives of the Chesapeake Council of Civic Organizations, stood to oppose the project. The Planning Commission had recommended denial of the necessary permit for the pit.
At first, the council leaned toward postponing a vote until next week, so that residents could meet with the developer. But residents said they felt they had been worn down by repeated postponements, and the council instead voted 6-1 to deny the permit. Mayor William E. Ward voted against the motion, and council members Arthur L. Dwyer and Peter P. Duda Jr. were absent.
The council also voted on a budget package for Chesapeake Municipal Airport that, combined with state and federal funds, will ultimately produce nearly $5 million worth of improvements at the facility.
That, too, ran into some static from residents of the nearby West Landing Estates development. They fear the expansion will produce more airplane noise.
Supporters of the project, such as Airport Authority Chairman William Hearring, said the improvements actually could reduce airplane noise because the planes would be able to come in higher.
Council members said they need to expand the airport to boost business recruitment.
The issue produced a sharp council spat when Councilman W. Joe Newman attempted to postpone consideration for a week. When his motion to do so was defeated 4-3, he asked Ward, ``Refresh my memory, what are our rules on filibustering?''
Ward laughed and said, ``Let's not get council confused with Congress.''
Newman was serious. He proceeded to ask detailed questions about the airport project. ``I could read every word in this package if I wanted to,'' he said.
But within 15 minutes, Ward called a recess. When the council returned, Councilman Robert T. Nance Jr. moved ``as a personal privilege'' to cut off debate on the issue. The council voted 4-3 to end the debate.
It then approved most of the airport package 7-0.
However, the council postponed consideration of a measure reducing the personal property tax on airplanes. Airport supporters said they need to reduce the tax to keep Chesapeake competitive with Suffolk, which recently cut its tax.
In other action, the council:
Held its public hearing on School Board appointments and decided to conduct personal interviews with those nominated by the council. Nominations will take place next Tuesday, and appointments will be made in January.
Postponed for one week a measure that would increase by 3 percent the benefits of certain retired city employees.
Approved spending $3 million for additional jail space and $4 million for a new cooling system in the municipal center. by CNB